19/02/2009

Duffy Scores Hat Trick At Brit Awards

Welsh soul singer Duffy walked away with a trio of gongs last night at the annual Brit Awards.

The 24-year-old was close to tears as she accepted the accolades in three categories, for Best British Album ('Rockferry'), Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Female Artist.

She thanked her fans during her acceptance speeches, saying it was the result of "five years' work".

After the awards show, she said she left the ceremony "happier than I could have imagined".

She continued: "It doesn't really matter what you achieve - in the end you're still the same person. I still have the same problems; I still wake up with a headache. Nothing changes."

Duffy's record Rockferry was the best-selling album of 2008 and shifted 4.5 million copies around the world.

Coldplay, who hoped to emulate their success at this month's Grammy Awards, were snubbed at last night's ceremony, walking away with nothing, despite being nominated for four awards.

Sheffield indie outfit Elbow, who last year won the Nationwide Mercury Music Prize for The Seldom Seen Kid, lifted the prestigious Best group statuette, while Girls Aloud won Best British Single 'The Promise', which they performed.

US rock band Kings of Leon won two awards for Best International Group and Best International Album ('Only by the Night'), while British heavy metal veterans Iron Maiden beat Elbow, Coldplay, Scouting for Girls and The Verve for Best Live Act, chosen by listeners of BBC Radio 2, following a massive campaign by fans.

British electronic dance music duo the Pet Shop Boys, who received an award for outstanding contribution, collaborated with newcomer Lady GaGa and The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers with a medley of their classic 80s hits, to close the show.

The awards, were hosted by Gavin and Stacey stars James Corden and Mathew Horne and Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, and this year's stage setting had a music festival theme, with the stars performing under a giant Glastonbury-style pyramid, flanked by a caravan, tipi and cows.

Irish rockers U2 opened the event with a performance of their new single 'Get On Your Boots'. Other performances from the evening came from Take That, the Kings of Leon and a duet from Estelle and The Ting Tings.

(JM/BMcC)

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